The Arabian Shield in the Supercontinent Cycle

Dr. Ahmad Redaa

2026-01-28

Review: Geological Time Scale

Source: https://www.geosociety.org/

Major Time Units

Neoproterozoic Era (1000–541 Ma)

Source: https://www.geosociety.org/

Review: Main Plate Tectonics Terminology

Plate tectonics explains the movement of rigid lithospheric plates and the geological processes at their boundaries.

Fundamental Concepts

Plate Boundaries

Subduction-System Terminology

Key Tectonic Processes

Crustal Architecture Terms

What is the Arabian Shield?

Location map of the Arabian Shield, Source: Kashghari et al. (2025)

Arabian Shield Overview

Image generated by NotebookLM

Supercontinents and the Arabian Shield

What is a Supercontinent?

General cycle: 1. Continental breakup and rifting
2. Ocean basin formation
3. Subduction and arc magmatism
4. Continental collision and assembly
5. Erosion and stabilization → renewed breakup

Major Supercontinents (Precambrian–Phanerozoic)

Arabian Shield in the Supercontinent Cycle

Global Context